Global Travel News

Anchor and Digonex Selected to Power Ticketing at Toronto Zoo

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Anchor and Digonex Selected to Power Ticketing at Toronto Zoo - TRAVELINDEXNew York, NY, July 27, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Anchor Operating System, a leading provider of software solutions for the tourism and hospitality industry, and Digonex, a renowned provider of dynamic pricing technology, today announced their partnership in powering ticketing and dynamic pricing, respectively, for the prestigious Toronto Zoo. This partnership brings together the expertise of both companies to provide innovative solutions that enhance the visitor experience and drive revenue growth.

Anchor Operating System was awarded the contract to power the ticketing, donation, and membership systems for the Toronto Zoo, solidifying its position as a trusted technology partner in the industry. With its comprehensive suite of tools and features, Anchor Operating System enables seamless ticketing transactions, streamlined membership management, and efficient donation processing, ensuring a smooth and convenient experience for visitors and supporters of the Toronto Zoo.

As a result of their individual achievements, Digonex was selected to empower the Toronto Zoo with its cutting-edge dynamic pricing technology. With Digonex’s expertise, the Toronto Zoo can implement intelligent pricing strategies that maximize revenue and optimize visitor attendance. By leveraging sophisticated algorithms and extensive data analysis, Digonex enables the Toronto Zoo to adapt pricing dynamically based on factors such as demand, seasonality, and capacity, ensuring fair pricing for visitors while supporting the financial sustainability of the organization.

The collaboration between Digonex and Anchor Operating System represents a powerful synergy, combining state-of-the-art dynamic pricing technology with robust ticketing and membership solutions. This integrated approach not only streamlines operations for the Toronto Zoo but also enhances the overall visitor experience by offering personalized pricing and seamless transactions.

“We are thrilled to partner with Digonex to provide dynamic pricing and ticketing solutions for the Toronto Zoo,” said Nasi Peretz, President at Anchor Operating System. “This collaboration showcases our commitment to delivering comprehensive and innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of the tourism industry. By integrating Digonex’s dynamic pricing technology with our ticketing and membership systems, we can empower the Toronto Zoo to optimize revenue while providing an exceptional experience for their visitors.”

“We are excited to work with Anchor Operating System in powering the dynamic pricing aspect for the Toronto Zoo,” said Greg Loewen, President at Digonex. “Digonex’s advanced pricing technology combined with Anchor Operating System’s robust ticketing and membership solutions will enable the Toronto Zoo to implement intelligent pricing strategies that drive revenue growth while ensuring a fair and enjoyable experience for all visitors. We look forward to a successful collaboration that benefits both the Toronto Zoo and its valued guests.”

The Toronto Zoo is equally enthusiastic about the partnership between Anchor Operating System and Digonex, said Adam Huston, Director of Guest Experience at Toronto Zoo. “We are delighted to partner with Anchor Operating System and Digonex to enhance our ticketing and pricing strategies. This collaboration brings together industry-leading solutions that will enable us to provide a seamless and personalized experience for our visitors while optimizing revenue generation. We are confident that this partnership will contribute to our mission of connecting people, animals, and conservation.”

About Anchor™
An independent division of Hornblower Group, Anchor is a cloud-based operating system that manages integration of third-party partners. More than a ticketing system, Anchor offers more than 700 features, including dynamic pricing, drag-n-drop reporting, waivers, kiosks, and Salesforce integration. The platform is instrumental in the production of developing centralized solutions that are designed to scale, allowing it to serve companies across wide-ranging industries, from transportation to parks & recreation. Anchor’s overall mission is to provide a turnkey solution that will result in reducing overhead, creating additional revenue streams, and most importantly, optimizing the guests experience.

About Hornblower Group
Hornblower Group is a global leader in experiences and transportation. Hornblower Group’s corporate businesses are comprised of three premier experience divisions: American Queen Voyages®, its overnight cruising division; City Experiences, its land and water-based experiences as well as ferry and transportation services; and Journey Beyond, Australia’s leading experiential travel group. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water-based experiences (dining and sightseeing cruises), land-based experiences (walking tours, food tours and excursions), overnight experiences (cruises and railways) and ferry and transportation services. Hornblower Marine, a subsidiary of Hornblower Group, provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a subsidiary of

Hornblower Group and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group’s global portfolio covers 114 countries and territories, 125 U.S. cities and serves more than 30 million guests annually. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Hornblower Group’s additional corporate offices reside in Adelaide, Australia; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada.

About Digonex
Digonex is the leading provider of dynamic pricing solutions serving attractions, cultural institutions, tour operators and live entertainment venues.  Digonex’s technology is the result of almost two decades of research and development in pricing science.  Digonex’s team of PhD economists utilizes dozens of variables to develop an automated and customized pricing solution for each client to accelerate revenue growth and achieve other critical strategic objectives.  Digonex is known for the effectiveness of its solutions, its “high touch” service model and dedication to client satisfaction.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Celebrate Mid-Autumn 2023 with Handcrafted Mooncakes

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Celebrate Mid-Autumn 2023 with Handcrafted Mooncakes - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comCelebrate the traditions of the Mid-Autumn festival with handcrafted baked mooncakes from Michelin Guide listed restaurant, Wah Lok.

New on the list of delectable mooncakes this year is the Mini Walnut Moontart with Egg Yolk. All-time favorites include Durian Paste with Single Egg Yolk, White Lotus Paste with Single Egg Yolk and Mini Baked Custard Mooncake.

This year, these delicate treasures are presented in a newly designed chest. Reflecting our commitment to sustainability, our Regal Delight Chest is crafted from sustainable materials, including paper board and medium-density fibreboard. A gift that keeps on giving, our Regal Delight Chest can be upcycled as a box to store your watches or accessories.

Our mooncakes are ideal as gifts for corporate clients, friends and loved ones to convey well-wishes for the festival.

Selling Price

Carlton Signature Box

  • Durian or White Lotus (4 pcs of 170 grams) THB 1,488 net
  • Walnut Moontart (8 pcs of 60 grams) THB 1,288 net

Mini Baked Custard Mooncake (6 pcs of 60 grams) THB 688 net

Single Piece Durian or White Lotus (170 grams) THB 268 net

Early Bird Promotion – 10% off for all mooncakes

Now – 15 September 2023

Bulk Purchase

  • 20% off for all mooncakes (50-99 boxes)
  • 35% off for all mooncakes (100 boxes and above)

Order now and pick up from 28 August – 29 September 2023

The Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake is available at

For more information or for reservations, please contact 02 090 7888

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Tanah Gajah Introduces New Spa Menu and Products

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Tanah Gajah Introduces New Spa Menu and Products - TRAVELINDEX.comUbud, Bali, July 27, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, is freshening up with a new spa brand and a decadent new collection of beauty rituals and signature therapies available at the Ubud property’s spa.

Pevonia, a US-based skincare company with products derived from nature and an ethos that highlights clean, natural, and sustainably-sourced beauty, is now the main brand to feature in The SPA at Tanah Gajah. With the switch comes a host of new therapies.

The Pevonia Caviar & Pearl Luxe facial, the most opulent treatment now on the menu, is a 90-minute anti-aging experience that includes indulgent elements along with the brand’s exclusive ingredient Escutox, a natural alternative to Botox, for supple skin and radiance. Inspired by the property’s location is a new ritual, Pevonia Divine Tropical Escape, 120-minutes of rejuvenation with a mango and passionfruit saltmousse body scrub and a relaxing massage using nourishing tropical body butter.

Along with several new signature treatments, facials and body polishes are the resort’s popular mainstays including the Chakra Balancing massage, Ancient Balinese massage, and Tibetan Ku Nye massage. Their collection of Oriental Rituals, two hours plus of full-body pampering inspired by and incorporating healing practices from their namesake country, are still on offer. These include the Thai Oriental Ritual, India Oriental Ritual and Bali Oriental Ritual.

Each spa suite is equipped with a private changing area, bathroom, steam room and toilet, allowing guests to immerse themselves in a private sanctuary. The adjustable hydraulic massage beds feature high-quality and soft mattresses for deep relaxation and each suite overlooks tranquil rice fields.

Outside of the spa, Tanah Gajah Ubud offers a range of wellness activities, including purification ceremonies, a local custom to wash away what is no longer needed and restore balance; and cooking classes, centered around fresh, organic ingredients grown on site and hosted by the property’s long-term chef. Chef Dean is also able to personalize menus for any special dietary needs.

Complimentary morning yoga is held daily (except Mondays) in an open air Balinese-style pavilion. Rice paddy trekking, a 60-minute guided stroll through the surrounding fields that invites mindfulness, is also available free-of-charge.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

TIA Wellness Resort Rolls Out Two New Signature Detox Treatments

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TIA Wellness Resort Rolls Out Two New Signature Detox Treatments - TRAVELINDEXDa Nang, Vietnam, July 27, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The resort harnesses the healing powers of extreme temperatures in improving health. TIA Wellness Resort, a tranquil, wellness-focused property situated along Vietnam’s central coastline, is rolling out two new transformative wellness treatments that do more than just release aches and pains.

The Lymphatic Detox and Detox Hydro Circuit Therapy were both added to meet an increasing demand for wellness therapies that help people internally reset and release toxins.

The Detox Hydro Circuit Therapy is a unique offering that takes guests on a 60-minute detox journey. The treatment takes place in its own dedicated area of the wellness center that features a relaxation space, with cushy oversized chairs overlooking a serene garden; a herbal steam room, where the treatment begins; a stone shower bed, for the hydrotherapy massage and the coffee and salt body scrub portion of the treatment; a sauna; and an ice bath. Each step is guided by a skilled spa therapist and refreshing detox water is provided throughout. The therapy ends with foot reflexology to further stimulate the detox process.

The invigorating ice bath, which TIA introduced specifically for this therapy, helps reduce inflammation and promote immunity. Guests will take two two-minute cold plunges during the session, one after the herbal steam and one after the sauna. This will take full advantage of the powerful benefits, like firing up the lymphatic system, that come from switching between hot and cold temperatures.

“Both cold water therapy and sauna, which involve exposure to temperatures at both extremes, have so many advantages. From the immediate boost of energy and letting go of fatigue to the more invisible work it does on the inside to keep us healthy and vibrant,” said Ramon Imper, the general manager of TIA Wellness Resort. “We are always looking for ways we can continue to level-up our wellness offering for guests and the addition of an ice bath and the treatment we’ve crafted around it is one way we’re continuing to evolve in the wellness space.”

The therapy is included for Retreat Inclusive guests, who benefit from one retreat therapy and two wellness therapies per night, along with full-board with plant-based cuisine, breathwork classes, creativity sessions, and Tai Chi and yoga practices. For those not on a retreat plan it is offered as a payable therapy.

The Lymphatic Detox, is a new signature treatment available to all Wellness Inclusive guests at TIA Wellness Resort. This 80-minute offering uses rhythmic strokes targeting the lymph nodes to support lymphatic drainage and stimulate the body’s natural detoxification process. Wellness Inclusive guests can also enjoy TIA’s broad range of breathwork, creativity, and embodiment practices such as Tai Chi and yoga.

Accommodation is in a one-bedroom pool villa with a complimentary wellness mini bar, featuring homemade healthy snacks, and an all-day breakfast on offer. Rates for Wellness Inclusive stays start at USD 450 ++ per villa and the price for the Detox Hydro Circuit Therapy is USD 60 ++.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Meliá Hotels International Announces New Hotel Meliá Halong Bay

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Meliá Hotels International Announces New Hotel Meliá Halong Bay - TRAVELINDEX - HOTELWORLDS.comHANOI (July 19, 2023) – Spanish hotel group, Meliá Hotels International, has inked an agreement for a new hotel in Ha Long, the entry point to one of Vietnam’s most stunning tourist destinations, Ha Long Bay, further cementing the group’s position as one of the largest international hotel groups in Vietnam.

Meliá Halong Bay is set to debut in 2027 with 240 rooms and 302 serviced apartments spread over two towers. The spacious hotel will feature four restaurants and bars, an indoor swimming pool and an expansive palm-tree lined outdoor swimming space with man made islets dotted throughout, reminiscent of the neighboring UNESCO World Heritage site. The brand’s signature YHI Spa will also be part of the new property, along with 2,000 square meters of MICE Space.

The Ha Long announcement is the next milestone on an 18 month-journey of rapid expansion within Vietnam. The growing hotel group has now in total 23 hotels throughout the country including operating and pipeline, being one of the biggest international hotel groups in Vietnam. This summer the group opens Gran Meliá Nha Trang, Meliá’s most luxurious hotel to debut in Vietnam to date. In the next few years they will also open Sol by Meliá Cam Ranh Bay, Meliá Nha Trang Beach Resort, and Meliá Quy Nhon Beach Resort bringing more Spanish passion for service to the country.

“Ha Long Bay, and its archipelago of limestone karsts are one of the natural wonders of the world, and a thrilling vantage for our hotel group,” said Ignacio Martin, Meliá Hotels International Managing Director for Asia Pacific. “With this addition to our portfolio our guests can visit popular destinations from North to South and know they’ll receive the Spanish warmth and hospitality that our brand has become famous for wherever they are in the country.”

The new property is the ideal jumping off point to explore Ha Long Bay, where visitors will navigate picturesque waters peppered with more than 1,000 limestone islands.

Meliá Halong Bay will be owned by Hanoi Halong Tourism Company, a member of IDS Equity Holdings (IDS). IDS is a Vietnamese-based investment company with a hospitality portfolio across Vietnam.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International operates more than 380 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries, under the brands Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, The Meliá Collection, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, plus a wide portfolio of affiliated hotels under the “Affiliated by Meliá” network. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (Silver Class). It also has ranked seventh in the Wall Street Journal’s list of the 100 most sustainably managed companies in the world (and the leading travel company) and is the only Spanish travel company included in the list of “Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021” by Financial Times. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market.

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Meliá Hotels & Resorts, mother brand under Melia Hotels International portfolio, has 125 hotels in Europe (57), America (19), Cuba (15), Africa (5) and Asia (29). We are present in 31 countries and currently have 24 hotels under development in 10 countries.

At Meliá Hotels & Resorts, we stand out for our unique Spanish style in the hospitality industry and for our warmth, closeness and passion for service. This means that we offer our guests a unique wellness experience.

Our Spanish warmth and spontaneity are part of our Mediterranean roots and are always present in the Meliá experience. An experience that is enriched by providing thoughtful extra services. Paying attention to the smallest details and providing personalized experiences for each guest.

We see wellness from an innovative perspective. It is not wellness applied only to nutrition or wellness services, it is 360º wellness. The wellness we want to convey is global. You can find it in all aspects of the brand from different perspectives: physical wellness, spiritual wellness, leisure wellness, social wellness, occupational wellness, environmental wellness, financial wellness and nutritional wellness.

About IDS Equity Holdings’ Real Estate Development
The concept of Hospitality is about receiving guests in a spirit of goodwill. Hospitality implies warmth, respect and protection. It builds connections and appreciation among cultures and nations. Furthermore, hospitality brings forward tremendous economic benefits such as increase in national employment, flow of foreign exchanges and boosts in other related industries in Vietnam.

Understanding this, IDS aims to create a very unique segment of affordable premium hospitality products and services including hotels/resorts and office buildings to the market. Our real-estate products possess the experiences cultivated by IDS, managed by international operators and bring together the essence of contemporary Asian hospitality with a deep root in Vietnam’s rich history and long traditions.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang Unveils Exclusive Dining Perks

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Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang Unveils Exclusive Dining Perks - TRAVELINDEXHoliday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang in Siracha part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is transforming the dining experience for its esteemed IHG One Rewards members.

The hotel proudly announces an exclusive 20% savings offer at its participating restaurants and bars. This generous offer extends to a selection of participating restaurants and bars within SEAK’s IHG Hotels & Resorts, delivering an immersive gastronomic journey steeped in local flavors and international favorites.

In addition to the substantial savings, IHG One Rewards members can now savor the added joy of earning. Members will receive 100 points for every THB 350 spent (USD 10), turning each meal into a rewarding experience. This exceptional offer is valid until 30 December 2023 and can be availed by presenting a membership card or the virtual card available via the IHG One Rewards App.

Embark on a culinary adventure and savor the savings at Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang. The hotel and its dedicated staff look forward to offering the warm hospitality they are renowned for. Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang hosts a variety of dining establishments including Level 8 Kitchen & Bar, offering tantalizing Thai and International cuisine. The Hub Bar & Deli serves an array of delightful tea, coffee, pastries, and salads, perfect for those who prefer light and leisurely meals. To discover more about the participating restaurants and bars, please visit .

For those who are not yet part of the IHG One Rewards community, join now to enjoy these unparalleled benefits.

For further information and promotional updates from Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang, interested parties can contact 033 251 699

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

A New Flavour for Hotels

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A New Flavour for Hotels - TRAVELINDEXA priority of hotels worldwide is, quite naturally, attracting and catering to the needs of guests. Seldom do hotels invest heavily in strategies to cater to non-guests. However, according to Dr Sung Gyun Mun, Dr Linda Woo of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a co-author, hotels’ food and beverage (F&B) departments can bring in big money by attracting customers from local communities – not just tourists. With important implications for businesses in the post-COVID-19 era of tourism recovery, the authors suggest that hotels may be able to use their F&B offerings to reach new customers and create competitive advantages.
Discovering a destination’s unique culinary profile helps us to form a memorable connection with the local culture. “An exceptional gastronomic experience has a powerful impact on the overall image of a destination and tends to remain in tourists’ memories for long periods”, write the researchers. While hotels are already aware that quality dining and catering services can drive a certain degree of business success, the potential to use F&B to reach a brand-new crowd of customers remains relatively unexplored.
To maintain a competitive advantage, hotels must find original ways to reach prospective customers. “Diversification” involves creating new products or services and breaking through to untapped markets. Hotel diversification strategies have generally centred on rooms, the “core” resources of all hotels. For instance, providing rooms with different levels of quality and price allows hotels to cater to guests with distinct needs and budgets. Another strategy is expanding a hotel chain to other locations, using the same room quality, to diversify internationally. “These types of diversification allow hotels to achieve economies of scale that reduce uncertainties and accelerate business growth”, say the authors. Yet the focus on rooms means that target F&B customers are limited to in-house guests.
Hotel restaurants and bars are generally regarded as “supplementary” services; their potential as a significant diversification strategy has only recently started to pique interest. Unlike rooms, for which hotels must follow strict procedures, hotels’ F&B offering is comparatively flexible and open to alterations in services and products. This means that hotels can stand out from the rest by offering more creative, more diverse and better-quality F&B services. “Hotel F&B should be regarded as a critical diversification strategy that can create competitive advantages”, underline the researchers. In particular, adapting hotel F&B can broaden target customer groups to outside-hotel customers – guests of a hotel’s restaurant or bar who are not actually staying at the hotel.
Revitalising hotel F&B services not only attracts more outside-hotel customers but has also been found to generate substantial revenues for hotels. This is welcome news, given reports of decreasing F&B revenue from minibars and in-room dining, which are only accessible to in-hotel guests. F&B services that are accessible to outside-hotel customers, such as lounges and catering, are bringing in increasing revenue. “Catering and banquet services have become a major source of revenue”, say the authors, “accounting for approximately 60% of F&B revenue at full-service hotel operations, such as luxury, upper-upscale, and upscale hotels”. This means that targeting in-hotel guests is no longer sufficient to increase F&B revenue and overall hotel profitability.
Successfully appealing to new outside-hotel clientele through hotel F&B means offering something that local restaurants cannot, such as “exceptional food with experiential and hedonic value, personalised service, and premium physical environments”, say the researchers. Also important is surpassing traditional hotel F&B staples in terms of quality and diversity, which can help to broaden the customer clientele. Several of the world’s biggest hotel groups are already seeking to transform their F&B services to offer one-of-a-kind, holistic experiences to appeal to outside-hotel customers. Examples include Marriott’s “Grab & Go” meals, AccorHotels’ mission to open their F&B venues to both locals and travellers and many hotels’ renovation of their dining spaces.
To attract locals and make a mark on the local culinary scene, hotels have also started to partner with local businesses. Engaging with the community in this way can “influence overall hotel brand reputation for the company’s long-term profitability”, say the authors. For example, outside-hotel guests who have a memorable dining experience might, for their next trip, decide to book with that same hotel brand in foreign destinations. Despite the great potential of targeting outside-hotel customers, there is currently no way to measure the contribution of outside-hotel customers to F&B revenue. The researchers therefore developed a pioneering measurement strategy to estimate F&B revenue from outside-hotel customers, which could help to develop better strategies for hotel F&B.
Using a wealth of data collected over a decade, the researchers examined the relationship between F&B revenue from outside-hotel customers and overall hotel performance in 464 full-service luxury, upper-upscale and upscale hotels in the five most popular tourist destinations in the US. While accounting for variability in hotel occupancy, revenue and profit, the researchers calculated the F&B revenue from outside-hotel customers using a new measure that they customised for the purpose. Controlling for hotel location, age, size, number of rooms, state revenue and average monthly employment in their analysis, the researchers compared the outcomes of three distinct mathematical models and reached robust conclusions about the effects of hotel F&B services.
The major finding was that through F&B services, hotels can transcend their original roles and attract outside-hotel customers. In addition, attracting outside-hotel clients enhanced hotels’ resource efficiency, known as “operating performance”, most notably in luxury hotels. “The findings represent the effectiveness of hotel F&B services as diversification strategies”, explain the authors. F&B revenue had a greater positive effect on luxury hotels’ performance than on the performance of upper-upscale and upscale hotels. This suggests that luxury hotels can benefit most from making innovative F&B plans to attract local customers. Hotels need not concern themselves too much with pricing strategies, given that lowering or increasing the price of F&B offerings had no significant effect on hotel revenue or profitability.
Another consistent finding was that F&B revenue from outside-hotel customers was positively associated with “operating profitability”, which is the profit left after paying off all operating expenses. “This finding supports the importance of attracting outside-hotel customers to increase the hotel’s overall operating profitability”, explain the researchers. This could also buffer seasonal fluctuations in hotel revenue. Moreover, this diversification strategy and easier accessibility of hotel F&B services would be beneficial for locals. The authors also highlight that simply investing more money in F&B services is not a fool-proof way to spontaneously attract more outside-hotel customers; instead, decisive and innovative moves should be made to reach outside-hotel customers to reap the rewards of diversification.
This work provides meaningful practical suggestions for hotels in the post-pandemic era of tourism recovery. Importantly, the work accentuates the value of more deeply embedding a hotel into its local surroundings and creating strategic F&B offerings for outside-hotel customers. For instance, hotel F&B departments could engage with local communities by hosting conferences, charity events and holiday parties, as well as with local F&B vendors. The enhanced brand image from improved hotel F&B reputation among residents and communities could allow hotels to increase their room prices, and thus overall profitability, without losing customer demand. “Considering the effects of outside-hotel customers on hotel performance”, say the researchers, “hotel firms should treat outside-hotel guests as their main target and develop management practices related to them”. These could include a system to track outside-hotel customer purchases and record details of hotel F&B activities.
Mun, Sung Gyun, Park, Eunhye Olivia and Woo, Linda (2022). Strategic Target Customers of Food and Beverage Offerings in Full-Service Hotels: Outside-hotel Customers. International Journal of Hospitality Management, Vol. 102, 103159.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WESTJET UNVEILS WINTER SCHEDULE

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The WestJet Group has announced its winter schedule, operating 230 direct routes from Canada to the southern US, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America this winter, while also extending key domestic and international routes from summer to year-round service.

“This year’s winter schedule is about providing Canadians with what they want: affordable sun destination getaways from across Canada; enhanced domestic connectivity from coast-to-coast; and the assurance that some of our most popular routes, previously operated exclusively in the summer, are available year-round,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Group, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer.

Expansion of service to sun destinations

In alignment with WestJet’s growth strategy and providing more affordable leisure and sun travel opportunities, this winter the airline is increasing getaway opportunities with new service to some of WestJet’s most popular sun destinations. Featuring four new and four returning routes, WestJet’s winter schedule will see more than 85 daily departures on average to sun destinations from communities across Canada. Additionally, in response to high demand for travel to the popular beaches of Mexico, WestJet will serve as the airline providing the most flights to over 10 Mexican destinations from Canada this winter.
As part of its winter schedule, the airline also announced new non-stop seasonal service between Toronto and Bonaire, beginning December 12, 2023. With the inclusion of Bonaire to its network, WestJet continues to enhance its capacity and commitment to the Greater Toronto Area.

Year-round extensions

Due to exceptional demand, WestJet is extending key routes, highly utilized by passengers this summer, to operate year-round.

Through WestJet’s codeshare partnerships, guests connecting through Paris, Atlanta or Minneapolis will arrive in Air France’s or Delta’s major hubs, respectively, gaining access to a vast network of European and US destinations on a single purchased ticket.

Jet from East-to-West and everywhere in between

In line with the airline’s growth plan, which aims to continuously expand options to ensure guests can seamlessly travel from coast to coast, WestJet is extending two more key domestic routes from Calgary to Moncton and St. John’s respectively, from summer to year-round service.

“We are more committed than ever to building on our momentum, strengthening Canada’s east to west connectivity year-round,” said Weatherill. “Strong connections fostered between Eastern and Western Canada are essential to the communities we serve and bolstering business and tourism opportunities throughout our country.”
WestJet Group capacity

As an integral part of the WestJet Group, Sunwing Airlines, is further bolstering leisure and sun flying options across the country. Together as the WestJet Group, WestJet and Sunwing Airlines will provide more seats than any other Canadian airline, across 230 nonstop routes from 26 Canadian communities to 55 popular sun destinations in the US, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America this winter.

Through its recently published winter schedule, Sunwing continues to demonstrate a strong focus on the leisure brand’s eastern roots, increasing their capacity in Atlantic Canada by 26 percent, Quebec by 15 percent and Ontario by 9 percent, when compared to 2022.

“As we work towards our eventual airline integration, the complementary winter schedules of both WestJet and Sunwing Airlines demonstrate early signs of a vibrant future for the WestJet Group that will see a significantly expanded footprint in Eastern Canada and bring even more affordable and seamless sun and leisure travel opportunities to Canadians across the country,” concluded Weatherill.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Mexican World Cup Star Unites with Mickey Mouse to Surprise Soccer Players

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Mexican National Team Goalkeeper Memo Ochoa Visits ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex During USYS National Championships 

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (July 27, 2023) – Mickey Mouse and Mexican soccer goalkeeper Memo Ochoa surprised youth players at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on Thursday, July 20 during the US Youth Soccer National Championships which ran through Saturday, July 23.

Ochoa and Mickey took photos with more than 35 boys and girls youth goalkeepers in front of the iconic globe at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, adding more magic to their visit. The young goalkeepers and their teams traveled from all over the United States to compete in this year’s tournament.

Ochoa, the captain of El Tri, the Mexican national team, has appeared in five FIFA World Cup tournaments and recently led Mexico to its record 9th CONCACAF Gold Cup championship. The 38-year-old goalkeeper spent time talking to the kids, taking photos and signing autographs, inspiring the athletes as they pursue a USYS championship. Ochoa and his family also spent time exploring Walt Disney World Resort.

The trip was in part to celebrate Ochoa’s 38th birthday and included his first time experiencing Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. He proclaimed the popular family-thrill coaster his favorite Walt Disney World attraction.  

The USYS National Championships give boys and girls teams an opportunity to showcase their talents against the best competition in the nation. More than 185,000 athletes on 10,000 teams compete throughout the year at state and regional levels for a chance to travel to Walt Disney World for the championships. The event is one of several top-tier youth soccer competitions that are held throughout the year at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Joins the Global Sustainable Tourism Council

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Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Joins the Global Sustainable Tourism Council - TRAVELINDEXIzmir, Turkiye, July 24, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Situated on the western coast of Türkiye, İzmir serves as a prominent nexus in the Aegean region. Its historical roots, seen in sites like Ephesus and Pergamon, trace back to Greek and Roman times, adding a rich layer of antiquity to the city.

İzmir’s downtown area, characterized by Konak Square and the bustling Kemeraltı Market, offers a blend of old and new, reflecting the city’s evolution through the ages. The coastal town also boasts a notable seafront promenade, the Kordon, providing an expansive outlook onto the Aegean Sea.

Sustainability in İzmir

The City joined EBRD’s Green Cities Framework in early 2019. The Green City Action Plan (GCAP) for Izmir aims to identify, prioritize and address the priority environmental challenges, and establish a vision and projects to enable a green future for the City. With its proposal of 46 actions that include infrastructure investments, policy measures, capacity development and advocacy, the proposal is designed to help achieve its vision for a green İzmir.

In 2020, by joining the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) and preparing and implementing a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP), İzmir Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), has voluntarily committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving climate resilience.

The CoM signatories’ objectives to be achieved by 2030 are to:
· Reduce CO2 emissions by at least 40% against the baseline year
· Increase climate resilience (i.e. develop a climate action plan)
· Provide secure access to sustainable and affordable energy in a manner that is integrated with the mitigation and adaptation plans İzmir’s SECAP has been aligned with the development of its Green City Action Plan (GCAP) which aims to identify, prioritize and address the most pressing environmental challenges, aligning with IBB Strategic Plan Vision, enabling a future for Izmir that is more compatible with nature.

Also, the Global Climate Community of İzmir was established last May, a collective focused on furthering İzmir’s mission of becoming a Climate Neutral and Smart City to combat the global climate crisis.

Tunç Soyer, Mayor of İzmir said: “With this membership, İzmir took its first important step in the field of sustainable tourism. Works in harmony with nature and the environment will be introduced to the world as tourism elements. The interest in sustainable tourism is increasing in the world and the principles of sustainability in tourism have an important role in the choice of destinations. We acted proactively to become a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.”

GSTC Welcomes İzmir
“We warmly welcome İzmir as a new member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. İzmir’s commitment to sustainability reflects its deep respect for its historical richness and symbolizes an approach towards its emerging sustainable future” says Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.

GSTC encourages destinations pursuing sustainability practices in tourism development and management to join as GSTC members and apply the GSTC Destination Criteria, which eventually can help achieve certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.

About Izmir Metropolitan Municipality
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality serves more than 4 million citizens within the borders of 30 districts. İzmir is a city with high tourism potential with its natural, cultural, and archaeological values. İzmir’s tourism strategy is based on the idea of “transporting many concepts, ideas, and approaches that shape world civilizations from İzmir to the world”. The main axis of İzmir tourism is that the city is located in the Mediterranean basin. It has been determined as historical, cultural, and archeological tourism that provides positive differentiation.

As the local administration of a city that has such a high tourism potential and the number of tourists is constantly increasing, İzmir needed regulation in its organizational structure. Accordingly, the Tourism Department was established in July 2019 to meet the needs of the tourism sector and work on behalf of tourism. The Tourism Department carries out its activities under the direction of the Foreign Relations and Tourism Department.

The Tourism Department continues to work to promote the city’s values, to promote attraction centers around the world, and to make the city a meeting center on a world scale. Different projects such as international fairs, tourism information offices, city tours, and mobile applications are carried out.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News